Makalu Base Camp Trek – Set Foot Among Giants

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On this page you will find a comprehensive and impartial guide to the Makalu Base Camp Trek.

As this is a very long and detailed article on the Makalu Base Camp Trek, we recommend using the quicklinks below to navigate to the sections that interest you most. Alternatively, bookmark this page for future reference.

Route Overview

The Makalu Base Camp trek takes you to the the world’s fifth-highest mountain, 14 miles east of Everest and 50 miles west of Kangchenjunga, the third-highest. Seven valleys radiate from Makalu.

The trek takes around three weeks and the sight of Nepal’s highest peaks is the main attraction of this trek. It is possible to use tea houses on this trek, with one or two of a basic nature in any given village where you stop, however usually you will be in a tent. Tea houses might be closed when it is cold.

The trail takes you through the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, which is famed for its natural beauty and amazing biodiversity: there are 315 species of butterfly, 43 of reptile, 16 of amphibian, 440 of bird, 88 of mammal and more than 3,000 of plant!

Some of the more popular creatures are the red panda, snow leopard, clouded leopard, Himalayan wolf, Assamese macaque, barking deed and Asian golden cat.

The people in the lower sections are Rai, who make up less than three percent of Nepal’s population, while in the higher they are Sherpa. The region’s isolation entails that its distinctive culture, flora and fauna have been well-preserved. Here are some of the last remaining pristine mountain ecosystems found on earth. Rare breeds of animal and plant flourish.

Being somewhat inaccessible, this area is little-known to tourists and there are only a few hundred trekkers and mountaineers a year. It was closed to the outside world until 1952 when Eric Shipton came and gave his name to the Shipton La pass.

Please Note: ​

The altitude of the Makalu Base Camp Trek makes it formidable. It is widely regarded as one of the toughest treks in Nepal. There is a high risk of altitude sickness, which is best avoided by acclimatisation.

Day 1-​2

Day 3

You fly to Tumlingar, on the upper reaches of the Arun river, which takes an hour. You then make for Khadbari. You take lunch among kabra trees. Walking continues and you cross a plateau for about 45 minutes. The trail climbs gradually to Khadbari. You camp above the village.

Day 4

You walk through many picturesque villages, mostly uphill. You pass through bamboo groves and one rhododendron forest. The rhododendrons found here have the most vibrant colours in all of Nepal – fuchsia, scarlet or plain white. Camp is at Chichela, a small Gurung settlement.

Day 5

The day commences, surprise surprise, with walking, snow-capped peaks in the distance. The views of Makalu, which means the Great Black One, are astonishing. The path is straight and goes up and down marginally. You enter forest and then descend to Num Camp.

Day 6​

You descend rappidly through the cornfield of Lumbang. The ground here is very rocky. The climb to Sedua Camp is a fairly tough one.

Day 7​

You cross meadows and streams before climbing to the Sherpa village of Tashi Gaon, the final permanent settlement in the valley.

Day 8

Climbing very steeply, this is the hardest day of your trek. You walk through thinly-populated forest along a ridge then over a hillock.

You finally descend to Kauma, where your tent comes out.

Day 9

This day is spent acclimatising.

Day 10

You begin the day with another steep climb through rhododendron forests to the top of a ridge, where you have magnificent views of Chamlang (24,152 feet), Peak 6 (22,110 feet) and Peak 7 (20,030 feet). Then you descend through a forest of rhododendrons and firs to Mumbuk Camp.

Day 11​​​​

You descend a steep gully for a few hundred feet. The trail is ill-defined and rocky with sloppy mud in places. It begins to ascend through a glacial valley. There are impressive views of Peak 6. You arrive at Nhe Kharka, which sits in a large, open and grassy plain with stunning mountain views. Here, you camp.

Day 12

Today, you go west, young man or no. You swap rhododendron forests for alpine tundra. There are grand views of Pyramid Peak (23,517 feet) and Peak 4 (22,047 feet). With a gain in altitude of more than 5,000 feet, this day has a risk of altitude sickness, but this is unavoidable as there is no suitable camp between Nhe Kharka and Sherson, your destination, 15,142 feet up.

Day 13

Today you face no more than a gradual climb to Makalu Base camp, where the south face views of Makalu are wondrous. Before you sits a panorama of some of the highest mountains of the world: Everest (29,035 feet), Lhotse (27,940 feet), Makalu (27,766 feet), Chamlang (24,012 feet) and Baruntse (23,688 feet).

Day 14

Today you explore the area.

Day 15

You trek to Barun Valley where you camp for the night.

Day 16

Your descent continues, bringing you back to Mumbuk.

Day 17

You cross Shipton La pass (13,875 feet) and then descend to Kauma.

Day 18

You walk to Tashi Gaon where you camp for the night.

Day 19

You trek through farming settlements. The next stage is through forests, passing some streams. You get to Pukuwa.

Day 20

A path through forests leads to exposed, narrow tracks where the views are tremendous. You cross rocky ridges before camping near the village of Bumling.

Day 21

You walk along the eastern bank of the Arun river. You pass through Chyawabesi and then have a short climb that stops at Tumlingar.

Day 22

You are driven back to Kathmandu.

Video Overview

A useful video overview of the Makalu Base Camp Trek by breathein15 and set to the music of Country Mile by Johnny Flynn.

In terms of a single detailed map we recommend the Himalayan MapHouse’s, New Annapurna Trekking Trails Map, which can be bought in Kathmandu, Pokhara or on Amazon UK here (unfortunately it is not on Amazon US yet).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the trek cost?

The trek itself will cost somewhere in the region of $3,000 to $4,000.

Are permits required for this trek?

You require a permit granting entry to the Makalu Barun National Park Conservation Area, which costs around $30. You must also have a Trekker Information Management System card, which must be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

When is the best time to trek?

This trek is most commonly undertaken pre- or post-monsoon, March to May or September to November. The weather post-monsoon is better, and so are the views, since the atmosphere has been cleared of dust. Trails can be blocked by snow in winter. Foul weather can put the dampers on things considerably.

Is altitude sickness a risk?​

The Makalu Base Camp trek ascends to some high altitude points. At its highest point, Makalu Base Camp, you will reach an altitude of 4,8oo meters (15,750 feet). There are steep section on this trek where you will ascend very rapidly.

How difficult is the trek?

The high altitude and longevity of the Makalu Base Camp Trek makes it one of the most difficult treks in all of Nepal. Hikers will need to have done several long hikes previously and be at a very good level of fitness condition.

What gear do I need?

Trekking to the Makalu Base Camp requires a number of essential pieces of trekking gear. The Makalu Base Camp trek is long and moderately difficult. It exposes you to a range of altitudes where temperatures fluctuate dramatically between night and day.

Much of your gear can be rented or bought in Kathmandu, but we strongly suggest bringing the most important pieces of gear and equipment with you.

What travel insurance do I need?

Trekking insurance is critically important in Nepal. See below for more information.

Insurance Information

Climbing insurance is vital for Makalu Base Camp Trek. If an accident or incident should occur that requires immediate medical assistance and evacuation you will most definitely want adequate trekking insurance that can cover the costs of air ambulance and treatment.

Make sure you have insurance that covers you for any travel related risks, like lost, stolen, damaged or delayed baggage; interruptions and flight delays and tour operators default.

Other Routes

The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular and iconic treks in Nepal. Trekkers get to retrace the early footsteps taken by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on their historic Everest expedition in 1953. Discover the Everest Base Camp Trek.

The Langtang Valley Trek is a relatively easy trek and is often far less busy than other popular treks in the Everest and Annapurna region. The trek can be done in seven days, however, it usually takes 10 to 12 days. Discover the Langtang Valley Trek.

Robin Boustead, author of Nepal Trekking & the Great Himalaya Trail: A route and planning guide, pronounced, “Many would argue that the Manaslu Circuit trail is the best general trek in the country.” Discover the Manaslu Circuit Trek.

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